Political correctness stunts real conversation

Ellen DeGeneres often shares funny images of herself on social media platforms that have been altered to include her image.

In August, she sent out a picture of her riding on Olympic speedster Usain Bolt’s back during a 100-meter semifinal with the suggestion that she would like to use the Jamaican sprinter’s word-class speed to get her errands done faster. She was labeled a bigot and the backlash was instant and frightening. Political correctness claimed yet another innocent victim.

Political correctness is changing the landscape of America by creating an environment of mediocrity and intellectual weakness. Political correctness has insidiously invaded our daily lives and has modified how we speak and think and it has been so gradual that many Americans don’t realize the impact it has had on our freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of thought.

Fear of being inappropriate has muted society. Presidential candidate Ben Carson recently wrote that "political correctness is antithetical to our founding principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Its most powerful tool is intimidation."

The problem with political correctness is it conveniently shuts down human interaction in its tracks if someone feels threatened or insulted. No matter what a person says today, you can be assured that at least one human being will feel threatened or insulted; just ask DeGeneres. This new environment of human interaction stifles all forms of communication and debate that once was the cornerstone of American freedoms.

Let’s be perfectly clear. Anyone who uses the anti-black prejudicial N-word, in conversation or print, or any word or phrase that bullies or truly insults another human being, should be censored and punished. Just because you can say something doesn’t mean you should. Words can truly hurt or inhibit human growth.

However, political correctness should also not be taken to ridiculous levels by people or groups seeking attention or power. Saying "Merry Christmas" rather than "happy holidays" or "blind" rather than "visually challenged" should not stifle conversation or require an apology. The list of politically correct words and phrases is growing alarmingly long.

Who exactly creates these new words or terms and how do they become so entrenched and immediate? The short answer is any group that is offended cries foul and then, as a solution, creates a word or phrase that best suits their liking. The media, perhaps more out of fear than desire for correctness, incorporates it into our everyday written conversation and a new word or phrase is born — one that you better accept and learn or face stern repercussion. Make no mistake, these new words or phrases many times represent power more than gratification. The oppressed become the oppressors.

Political correctness has become more a weapon than a tool. It affects both sides of the political landscape, which makes it even more dangerous.

Donald Trump can never be accused of being politically correct and he admits he has done his share of saying insulting things. The interesting consequence is that it works for him. It attracts followers by the millions. The Aug. 18 Pew Research Poll had Hillary Clinton ahead of Trump by a margin of 41 percent to 37 percent, meaning 37 percent of voting-age Americans agree with Trump and his political incorrectness.

The theory is that people are afraid to say what they really think because of fear of losing a job, fear of being sued or being labeled a racist or bigot. They admire Trump because he speaks for them. Every evening news sound bite of Trump being Trump in hopes of discrediting him ironically backfires with resulting fist pumps behind closed doors all across America. It’s pretty obvious that millions of Americans have no use for political correctness yet they have no recourse to fight back. Trump has become their weapon of choice.

Censorship goes against our way of life yet that is exactly what political correctness does. If we have to scrutinize every word we speak, then we as a society will cease to speak. Ordinary citizens, politicians and the press must continue to have the ability to debate, question and critique all facets of our society or we as a nation will succumb to mediocrity.

Dave Kendall is an Appleton resident. He can be reached at dkendall@new.rr.com.